Welcome from Joel

✅ Check your joining details

Make sure you know exactly where and when to be ready on the morning your tour begins in Dublin.

🛂 Keep essentials accessible

Have your passport, wallet, phone, charger and any medications easy to reach rather than buried in your suitcase.

📶 Staying connected

Most hotels offer free Wi‑Fi, and there is often limited Wi‑Fi available on the coach depending on where we are travelling. WhatsApp works well over Wi‑Fi, so you do not need to rely on mobile roaming if you would prefer not to.

✈️ Check arrival and departure plans

Because the tour begins in Dublin and finishes in Scotland, it is worth double-checking your arrival and onward travel arrangements well before Day One.

🌤️ A practical reality

You might get a bit of everything in one day, which is fairly normal here. A couple of flexible layers will usually serve you better than worrying too much about the forecast.

🧥 Best approach

Bring a jacket you trust and comfortable layered clothing. Conditions can shift quickly, particularly in coastal and rural areas.

Essentials

• 👟 Comfortable walking shoes
• 🧥 Layered clothing for changing conditions
• ☔ A waterproof jacket
• 🎒 A small day bag
• 💧 Optional: bring a reusable water bottle (tap water is safe throughout the tour)
• 🔌 A UK Type G plug adapter (three rectangular prongs)
• 🎧 Optional: wired headphones with a 3.5mm jack to use with our walking-tour audio devices

Packing smarter

• 🧳 You do not need to pack for a fashion shoot — think practical rather than "just in case."
• 🧳 Porterage is one main suitcase per person, so packing with that in mind helps keep travel days smooth.
• 👍 A manageable suitcase makes travel days smoother and still leaves room for a few things you may pick up along the way.
• 🌦️ Layers are key. Weather here can be a bit of a character, and it is not unusual to get a bit of everything in the same day.

🚏 The pace of the tour

This is a 15-day journey covering Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. There is a little more breathing room than a short highlights trip, but some days still involve early starts, ferries or longer travel distances.

🚶 Walking

Expect uneven streets, stairs, city walking and days where comfortable shoes matter more than style points.

🏨 Hotel styles vary

Across Ireland and Scotland we stay in a mix of modern and historic properties. Room sizes, layouts and facilities can differ from what people may be used to elsewhere.

🍽️ Included meals

Breakfast is included daily and some dinners are provided. On included meal days, timings are set to keep the itinerary running smoothly, so punctuality is appreciated.

👥 Travelling as a group

Touring works best when everyone is mindful of shared timings, shared spaces and different travel styles. A relaxed and respectful group dynamic makes the journey more enjoyable for all.

🧑‍✈️ Your Driver

Your Driver plays a key role in both safety and the smooth running of the itinerary. Driving hours are legally regulated, which influences daily scheduling and comfort stops.

💷 Currency

Ireland uses the Euro (€). Northern Ireland and Scotland use Pounds Sterling (£).

💳 Money & payments

Card payments are widely accepted throughout the UK and Ireland, though having a small amount of local cash can still be useful from time to time.

The easiest way to access cash is usually through an ATM or cash machine rather than a currency exchange counter, which can be harder to find outside major airports.

Optional experiences can be paid by card or cash.

🚻 Toilets

Some public facilities may require coins or small payment, so keeping a little cash handy can occasionally help.

💶 Gratuities

Many service gratuities are already covered in your tour. Tips for your Travel Director and Driver are generally separate unless pre-paid.

🔒 Security

Keep passports, cards and valuables secure and stay aware in busy areas. Pickpocketing is not common, but sensible awareness is always advisable in busy areas.

⭐ Optional experiences

Your itinerary already includes a strong balance of included experiences. Optional experiences are additional activities designed to give you the chance to explore certain places more deeply or enjoy unique local evenings.

These are introduced during the tour once timings, logistics and conditions are clearer. Participation is always entirely optional.